Potential merger with a competitor

searcher profile

May 13, 2024

by a searcher in San Francisco, CA, USA

Hello,


A year ago, I purchased the B2B business using an SBA loan. Since then, we have increased our prices and acquired new customers. Additionally, we hired a seasoned General Manager from the industry to oversee operations. Currently, we are exploring an opportunity to merge with a competitor or execute a buyout to achieve operational synergy, expand into new markets, and establish ourselves as a major player in the region.

Deal size is around ~2mil.
I would prefer to pay off the SBA loan, I am open to considering equity in the combined entity, seller financing, or a combination of both. I am curious to explore how we can accomplish this, and whether funding can be secured through SBA or conventional means. If anyone has experience navigating a similar path, I would greatly appreciate hearing about your insights and lessons learned. Thank you in advance for sharing your experiences.

Thank you in advance.

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commentor profile
Reply by a professional
from University of Notre Dame in New York, NY, USA
Typically in a merger there is a stock "swap" component to the deal. A few things to consider:

1. Who is the "target" here and who will be the surviving entity (or ultimate parent if you're accomplishing the merger through a merger-sub)?

2. Structure matters and stock swap transactions are taxed (unless you have a reverse triangular structure and 80% of the transaction consideration is stock, rather than cash, in which case the stock swap will be tax-free).

3. Most merger consideration is stock for stock, with a smaller cash consideration piece - you need sophisticated advisors to ensure that your balancing the "cash piece" with favorable tax treatment.

4. If you don't pay off your SBA loan before closing, your SBA lender would likely need to consent to the merger. Additionally they'd require subordination agreements to any type of seller note in connection with that transaction - so definitely easier to pay off the SBA loan before closing.


I have a fair amount of mergers on my deal sheet, so happy to chat. Feel free to DM me or shoot me an email redacted
commentor profile
Reply by a lender
from Eastern Illinois University in 900 E Diehl Rd, Naperville, IL 60563, USA
I would be happy to have a discussion and learn more. We would need some additional details on the transaction to fully advise you. If you are buying out the other company and want to use SBA financing. if the business is in the same NACIS code as your current business, 100% financing is available via SBA loans. If you would like to discuss you can reach me here or directly at redacted Good luck.
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